When I went to college in the mid 80's, there were a few students from Alaska. I think from Kodiak. They said you had to be able to field dress a deer in three minutes. After that you'd have some bears for company. Also, said the best place to hunt for bear was at the city dump.
From what I understand a .44 mag is about minimal for protection against bears. I have hear pepper spray works, if you can spray them in their eyes. I also read that someone sprayed the pontoons of a brush plane, thinking it would ward off bears. The next morning, the pontoons were scrathed up all over.
Tom